Teenager, 17, admits to having firearm and ammunition following proactive police stop

A 17-year-old from Cannock, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday, January 10, admitting to possession of a firearm and possessing ammunition for a firearm without a licence. 

Proactive officers from Staffordshire Police stopped a Fiat Punto in Weston Coyney, Stoke-on-Trent on June 24 of last year to reports that the vehicle was being driven erratically. 

On searching the vehicle, officers found a machete and a BB gun. 

A further search of the car then uncovered a handgun from a cavity inside the driver's door as well as a number of bullets. 

Officers arrested the boy and found three car keys in his possession, one of which was for the Fiat. 

DNA checks on the gun's trigger and guard area returned matches for the boy, who was later charged with the offences and taken to court. 

Following his plea, the boy was remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing date. 

Detective Sergeant Marc Proctor, from the city proactive team, said: "This weapon is capable of causing serious harm and has rightfully been taken off our streets through some proactive policing work in the local community. 

"We're compiling intelligence every single day as part of our continued fight against organised criminal gangs across Staffordshire, and I can assure local communities that robust enforcement will come against those causing harm to the people we proudly serve."

Since the force launched its organised crime crackdown in May 2023, they have arrested more than 1,000 people suspected of weapon and drug offences.